Lamp reflector for instrument illumination



C. B. DINSMORE LAMP REFLECTOR FOR INSTRUMENT ILLUMINATION Jan. 1, 1929.

Filed Sept. 8, 1927 gvwwwto q C/areizca 43 [Zl'rzsmore Patented Jan. 1 i929.

. pairs errs CLARENCE nrnsiionn, or ranvr, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO MICHIGAN,

PANY, OF FLINT,

LAMP REFLECTOR FOR IN Application filed September This invention relates to improvements in lamps and more particularly a lamp for the illumination of instruments.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified means for mounting a light bulb on the dashboard of an automotive vehicle so that the dials of the various instruments fixed to the dashboard adjacent the bulb will be adequately illuminated. It is a further object of the invention to provide such an arrangement in which a diflused but adequate light will be cast over the various dials so that the operator may see the dials clearly but will not be annoyed by a glaring light.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and appended claims.

In the drawing- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lamp;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig.

1; and

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fteferring to the drawing, the numeral 10 represents a supporting panel which may be the instrument board of an automotive vehicle. A base plate 12 is fiXed to the panel by screws or rivets 14 and has a beaded or flanged central'aperture; and, fitting in this aperture and a corresponding aperture in the panel 10, is a lamp socket 18 held in place by the friction of an outwardly or rearwardly rounded bead 16, U-shaped in transverse section and comprising an inner cylindrical part and an outer cylin- 40 drical part respectively adapted resiliently to engage said socket and a lamp hood. Fixed in the socket, by means of a usual bayonet slot 20, a light bulb 22 may vided, to serve as a light source.

Fitting around the bead 16 is shown a novel lamp cover or hood 24, which may be formed of sheet metal and provided with an outwardly extending bead 26. internally to receive a translucent light-diffusing element such as a celluloid disc 28,-preferably colored and provided with a tral aperture 30. The aperture 30 may serve not only to permit expansion and contraction of the mentioned parts during heating be prosubstantially cen- A CISPARK A COMPANY OF MICHIGAN.

PLUG- COM- STRUMENT ILLUMINATION.

8, 1927. Serial No. 218,266.

and cooling, thereby obviating distortion of or damage to the disc, restricted beam of r part of a suitable reflector.

he under side of the cylindrical hood 24, in front of the disc of, as viewed in Fig. 1) is shown as transversely cut, an under surface of the outer portionthereof being bent inward and upward to provide, from the various dials, not shown. The illustrated form of reflecting surfaceis adapted tohproduce a downwardly widening area of w somewhat crescent-like area of maximum illumination; but the size of the mentioned cut and the shape into the hood is pressed, to provide an integral reflector, will naturally depend somewhat upon the arrangement of the dials. forms of the mentioned reflector may, however, present a straight line profile in longitudinal section and a concave profile in transverse SGOtlOI, substantially as shown or passenger.

I claim: 1. In a lamp for instrument boards, a cylindrical ment and cut across the under-side, the under-wall being bent inwardon a re-entrant curve so that anoriginally external surface thereof becomes a substantially parti-cylindrical and concave reflecting 2. The combination in a lamp suitable for use upon an instrument board formed with an aperture surrounded by a head which is U-shaped in cross-section and is rearwardl rounded, a support for a light bulb held within the bead, and a hood supported on a cylindrical surface of the 'outer'side of the bead and provided with a surface for reflecting light generally downward, said its light which upwardly terminates in a which the metal of support and said hood being held on said bead by mere fit and friction.

originally external and cylindrical surface thereof becomes a substantially cylindrical 3. In a lamp for instrument boards; a concave and rearwardly reflecting surface 10 cylindrical hood adapt-ed to extend over a 5 lighting element, hood being out across its under-side, and its under-Wall being bent inward on a re-entrant curve and so that an for said lighting element,

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

QLARENCE B. DIN SMOKE. 

